To Taco, Or Not to Taco?

Today I’d like to take a second to talk about something that has been on my mind lately. As we grow up we adopt certain beliefs which, over time, become a part of who we are. For example, some of us are pro-life, while others of us are pro-choice. These beliefs may have been formed logically by looking at the different sides of the issue and then making an informed decision. However, I fear many of us, especially when we were younger, were strongly influenced by our parents and the people around us to think one way or another. Therefore, it is most important that we continually evaluate and challenge our core beliefs. Today I am doing just that in the form of one simple question:

Is Amigos really that great?

Okay, so let’s try to put feelings aside for a second. That’s no easy task for me because I was raised in the Amigos at 56th and Old Cheney. 3-4 times a week we’d huddle as a family in one of the unreasonably small booths and eat soft tacos, crisp meat burritos, veggie burritos, tacos, etc. Not surprisingly, as a youngster I thought that Amigos was the pinnacle of Mexican cuisine. I also thought the donation fountain was a urinal.

Now that I’m older, wiser, and generally understand the difference between fast food and authentic Mexican food, I’m starting to wonder if Amigos is really that great. Here is a list of my concerns:

1. Some items are just American food in disguise: For example, the soft taco is unseasoned hamburger, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, all wrapped in a carbohydrate blanket. Sounds and tastes like a cheeseburger to me.
2. Perhaps the decrease in quality of Amigo's food is due to its merger with King's. When I want a burger, I get a burger. Went I want deep fried Mexican food to move through my digestive track like an unstoppable rebel force, I go to Amigos. And ne'er the two shall meet.
   
3. The prices aren’t that great for what you get. I’m pretty sure a cheesy burrito costs close to $2.00 now. I’d like someone who is reading this blog to go to the grocery store buy tortillas, a package of cheddar cheese, a can a refried beans and then see how much one of these things actually costs to make. Pictures would be nice.
4. Amigos is commonly referred to as “drunk food”. Is it strange that people say things like, “two more beers and I’m gonna need some Amigos”? Do we have to be drunk for it to taste good? Maybe we should make a new poster for college freshman to hang on the walls of their kick-ass dorm rooms: “Beer-Helping hungry people eat Amigos since 1980." Observe:But in the interest of fairness, here are some good things:
   

1. Best damn ranch in the world.
2. Tradition. It’s local and also linked to Nebraska Football.
3. Party room upstairs (at participating locations).
4. They’re open approximately 23.5 hours a day.

So now I’d like to hear your thoughts on this issue. Does Amigos live up to the hype? Why or why not? What is your favorite item? What is your record for most time spent on the can after a trip to Amigos (please do not actually answer this one)?

-Ben